Curculionid Beetles Research Articles

Acquisition of Cry1Ac protein by non-target arthropods in Bt soybean fields.

Soybean tissue and arthropods were collected in Bt soybean fields in China at different times during the growing season to investigate the exposure of arthropods to the plant-produced Cry1Ac toxin and the transmission of the toxin within the food web. Samples from 52 arthropod species/taxa belonging to 42 families in 10 orders were analysed for their Cry1Ac content using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the 22 species/taxa for which three samples were analysed, toxin concentration was highest in the grasshopper Atractomorpha sinensis and represented about 50% of the concentration in soybean leaves. Other species/taxa did not contain detectable toxin or contained a concentration that was between 1 and 10% of that detected in leaves. These Cry1Ac-positive arthropods included a number of mesophyll-feeding Hemiptera, a cicadellid, a curculionid beetle and, among the predators, a thomisid spider and an unidentified predatory bug belonging to the Anthocoridae. Within an arthropod species/taxon, the Cry1Ac content sometimes varied between life stages (nymphs/larvae vs. adults) and sampling dates (before, during, and after flowering). Our study is the first to provide information on Cry1Ac-expression levels in soybean plants and Cry1Ac concentrations in non-target arthropods in Chinese soybean fields. The data will be useful for assessing the risk of non-target arthropod exposure to Cry1Ac in soybean.

Erratum to: Effects of forest fires on forest ecosystems in eastern coastal areas of Korea and an overview of restoration projects

Recent large fires have highlighted the importance of understanding post-fire processes in forest ecosystems, in order to implement ecologically sound post-fire forest restoration practices. Restoration principles should be based on a thorough understanding and appropriate integration of the ecological, social, and economic factors associated with forest ecosystems. In Korea, forest fires mainly affect pine forests, which provide habitats for pine mushrooms, a major source of income for local residents. Curculionid beetles can easily attack fire-damaged trees because of the trees’ weakened defense mechanisms. On the other hand, fire accelerates the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient release, thereby improving forest productivity. Natural restoration after large fires depends on regeneration (e.g., from seeds and sprouts) of the remaining trees that have sustained less damage, until secondary forests are established. However, severely burned areas may require rapid artificial regeneration depending on the specific climatic (e.g., summer rainy season), geographic (e.g., shallow surface soil and land erosion), and economic (e.g., local mushroom harvesting) objectives. A restoration plan should include constructing fuel breaks to reduce the fire risk if the area is replanted mainly with pine species.

Nesting Biology of Odynerus albopictus calcaratus (Morawitz, 1885) and Odynerus femoratus de Saussure, 1856 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)

The nesting biology of Odynerus albopictus calcaratus and Odynerus femoratus was studied in the Crimea (south of Ukraine); 46 nests of O. a. calcaratus and 18 nests of O. femoratus were examined. Both species nest on horizontal ground surfaces. The nests are vertical burrows surmounted by turrets. Females use water during nest construction and retrieve mud pellets from the nest burrow; these pellets are of two distinct sizes: small ones are used for the turret construction and big ones are dropped away. Females hunt for larvae of curculionid beetles of the genus Hypera. Completed nests are sealed with demolished turrets and nest burrows are usually entirely filled with mud. The nests of O. a. calcaratus contain 1-2 cells; the nests of O. femoratus contain 1–10 cells. The turrets of O. a. calcaratus are curved, and opened sideward; the turrets of O. femoratus are straight, and opened upward. The nesting success is 83% in O. a. calcaratus and 55% in O. femoratus. Most of the wasps died due to abiotic factors (e.g., rain). The nest structures of the species in the genus Odynerus studied so far are compared, and the function of the nest turret is discussed.

The Froggattimyia-Anagonia genus group (Diptera: Tachinidae)

The genera here reviewed have in common many morphological attributes, and in both, all species are parasites of the larvae of leaf-eating insects—pergid sawflies for Froggattimyia and chrysomelid or curculionid beetles for Anagonia. Perhaps significantly, the host larvae themselves show a degree of physical resemblance and all are charged strongly with eucalyptus oil from their foodstuffs. Twelve species are recognized in Froggattimyia, the following six are new: F. carnei, F. coracina, F. macdonaldi, F. woodorum, F. truncata, and F. vicina, one is near F. hirta and remains undescribed. Twenty-five species are recognized in Anagonia, the following sixteen are new: A. angustifrons, A. commoni, A. conformis, A. crosskeyi, A. dayi, A. errator, A. latistylus, A. loripes, A. minor, A. norrisi, A. perplexa, A. propinqua, A. similis, A. teratostylus, A. uptoni, and A. zentae; F. tillyardi Malloch is newly combined in Anagonia. Most species are so highly variable as to make a classification based on internal structure at best tentative. Colless, DonalD H. 2012. The Froggattimyia-Anagonia genus group (Diptera: Tachinidae). Records of the Australian Museum 64(3): 167–211.

The Initiation of a Biological Control Programme AgainstArgemone mexicanaL. andArgemone ochroleucaSweet subsp.ochroleuca(Papaveraceae) in South Africa

Mexican poppies Argemone mexicana L. and Argemone ochroleuca Sweet subsp. ochroleuca (Papaveraceae) are annual herbs native to Central America (Mexico) that have become naturalized and weedy in many parts of the world, including South Africa. Both A. mexicana and A. ochroleuca colonize and persist in severely disturbed areas, such as cropping systems, along roadsides, railway lines and watercourses. They compete with, and possibly displace indigenous pioneer species, threatening biodiversity of riparian zones in particular. They are also toxic to animals and humans. Although control measures such as herbicides can be applied, their use in sensitive areas such as riparian zones can cause deleterious effects and therefore biological control is considered to be the most suitable and environmentally safe method to suppress these weeds. Accordingly, two species of flower- and fruit-feeding curculionid beetles provisionally identified as Conotrachelus cf. leucophaeatus Fahraeus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conotrachelini), and Sirocalodes cf. wickhami (Champion) (Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchini) were collected in Mexico in 2007 and in 2009 and brought to South Africa for evaluation as potential biological control agents. Preliminary host-specificity tests indicated that the beetles strongly prefer the target weeds to other plant species. They are highly damaging and have the potential to substantially reduce seed production and thereby curb the spread of the two Argemone species.

A new Thelastomatidae, Oryctophila bonaerensis sp. nov. (Nematoda) parasite of curculionid beetle larvae of Prosalbus rufus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Argentina

Oryctophila bonaerensis sp. nov. parasitizing curculionid beetle larvae from Argentina, is described and illustrated. The species is characterized by a prominent genital cone and a short and filiform tail appendage. Female with vulva at midlenght of body, vagina long, S-shaped, monodelphic, opistodelphic. Male with one club-shaped spicule. Genital papillae arranged as follows: one pair of large preanal papillae and three pairs of postanal papillae of various sizes: a pair of medium sized papillae is immediately posterior to the anus, followed by a pair of large papillae, and one pair of small papillae at the base of the caudal appendage.

First records of flower biology and pollination in African Annonaceae: Isolona, Piptostigma, Uvariodendron, Monodora and Uvariopsis

Seven species from five genera of Annonaceae were studied with regard to their flower biology and pollination in the Southwest Province of Cameroon, West Africa. They have protogynous hermaphroditic flowers, with exception of Uvariopsis species, which are monoecious. Fused petals of Isolona campanulata remain apically spreading and open during anthesis but form a deep basal urceolate tube around the reproductive organs. At anthesis the yellow pendent flowers emit a fruit-like scent and attracted small beetles, the likely pollinators. Piptostigma sp. flowers also emit a fruit-like scent but provide a closed pollination chamber formed by the three inner petals. Small staphylinid beetles attracted during the female stage of anthesis are released from the flowers at the end of the male stage 2–3 days later. Both species have diurnal anthesis, attracting and releasing the flower visitors during daytime. In contrast, Uvariodendron connivens and U. calophyllum have nocturnal anthesis with floral thermogenesis, produce spicy, aromatic and fruity scents and attract large Scarabaeidae beetles, the pollinators, along with many curculionid beetles, which were principally predators of the thick petals. The very large flowers of Monodora tenuifolia have yellowish petals which are spotted with dark red markings. Together with the sweetish, slightly disagreeable scent the flowers attract flies, principally dung flies. The two investigated Uvariopsis species are monoecious with pistillate and staminate flowers being functional at the same time. The violet red flowers of U. bakeriana visually seem to mimic the fruiting body of certain stinkhorn fungi (Phallaceae) although without producing their strong unpleasant carcass stench. Flower-visiting dung flies were rare. Conversely, U. congolana has a strong fungus-like scent, its flowers are presented at litter height and dung flies living in the litter were the flower visitors, albeit sporadic. The 4–5 days lasting anthesis of both Uvariopsis species appears to be an evolutionary consequence of their diffuse pollinator spectra. The studied African Annonaceae therefore have either cantharophilous or myiophilous/sapromyiophilous flowers with, in part, respectively, remarkably long anthesis, thermogenesis, and widely open, large flowers – all attributes unknown or rare in the hitherto better studied Neotropical Annonaceae.

Meira mellei n. sp. du mont Tanargue, Massif central, France (Coleoptera Curculionidae)

Meira mellei n. sp. from the Tanargue mountains, Massif central, France (Coleoptera Curculionidae) A new species of curculionid beetle of the genus Meira Jacquelin du Val 1852, M. mellei n. sp., is described from Tanargue mountains (Ardèche, France). It is closely related to M. straneoi F. Solari 1954 from which it differs in the shape of the aedeagus. Relevant external characters as well as the male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Yeasts associated with the curculionid beetle Xyloterinus politus: Candida xyloterini sp. nov., Candida palmyrensis sp. nov. and three common ambrosia yeasts

Seven yeast strains were isolated from the body surface and galleries of Xyloterinus politus, the ambrosia beetle that attacks black oak trees. Based on rDNA sequence comparisons and other taxonomic characteristics, five of the strains were identified as members of the species Saccharomycopsis microspora, Wickerhamomyces hampshirensis and Candida mycetangii, which have been reported previously as being associated with insects. The remaining two yeast strains were proposed as representatives of two novel species, Candida xyloterini sp. nov. (type strain ATCC 62898(T)=CBS 11547(T)) and Candida palmyrensis sp. nov. (type strain ATCC 62899(T)=CBS 11546(T)). C. xyloterini sp. nov. is a close sister taxon to Ogataea dorogensis and assimilates methanol as a sole carbon source but lacks ascospores. On the other hand, C. palmyrensis sp. nov. is phylogenetically distinct from any other ambrosia yeast reported so far. The species was placed near Candida sophiae-reginae and Candida beechii based on DNA sequence analyses, but neither of these were close sister taxa to C. palmyrensis sp. nov.

Sequestration of prenylated benzoic acid and chromenes by Naupactus bipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding on Piper gaudichaudianum (Piperaceae)

The curculionid beetle Naupactusbipes (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Brachycerinae) has shown feeding preference for leaves of Piper gaudichaudianum, demonstrating an unexpected specificity for an insect considered to be a generalist. The leaves of P. gaudichaudianum contain the prenylated chromenes gaudichaudianic acid (4, major compound) and its methyl ester (5) in addition to a chromene (3) lacking one prenyl residue. In addition to 4, roots contain the chromone methyl ester (1) and methyl taboganate (2, major compound). Feeding on roots, larvae of N. bipes sequester exclusively the root-specific compounds 1 and 2. Adult beetles sequester the leaf-specific chromenes 3 and 4, but were found to also contain compounds 1 and 2 that are absent in leaves. Therefore, it is suggested that 1 and 2 are sequestered by larvae and can be found in the body of adult insects after long-term storage. In addition, 3 and 4, the major compounds in leaves were found to be associated with the eggs.

Pollination Ecology and Breeding System of Xylopia championii (Annonaceae): Curculionid Beetle Pollination, Promoted by Floral Scents and Elevated Floral Temperatures

Data on the reproductive biology of the Annonaceae are rather fragmentary, particularly for paleotropical species. The pollination ecology and breeding system of the Sri Lankan endemic Xylopia championii (Annonaceae) are described in detail. The pollination ecology was investigated using a diverse range of approaches, including (1) observations of flower‐level and population‐level phenology, (2) assessments of floral visitors and effective pollinators, (3) monitoring of floral temperature in situ using a digital data logger, and (4) analysis of scent chemistry using solid‐phase microextraction sampling and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry identification of volatiles. The breeding system was evaluated using pollen/ovule ratios and field‐based controlled‐pollination experiments. Intrafloral dichogamy (protogyny) occurs over a 2‐d period, with a reproductively inactive phase between the pistillate and staminate phases, although there is no evidence of interfloral dichogamy. The inner petals close to form...

Curculionid beetles in aborted flower buds and immature fruits of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae)

We determined the incidence of curculionid beetles of the genus Lonchophorus on aborted and not aborted flower buds and developing fruits of the tree Ceiba pentandra in southeastern Costa Rica. Beetle larvae were found in reproductive parts of all trees sampled trees. The frequency of beetle larvae was greater in aborted buds and immature fruits. A positive correlation between larvae development and flower bud development indicates that female oviposition occurred in an early flower developmental stage and time until bud abortion is variable. Weevil herbivory could be considered as one of the main factors that cause flower bud and fruit abortion in C. pentandra.

The potential for biological control of invasive alien aquatic weeds in Europe: a review

A retrospective analysis shows that invasive, alien, free-floating and emergent aquatic weeds in Europe are good targets for classical biological control, and that genus-specific chrysomelid and curculionid beetles offer the most potential. Ludwigia spp., Azolla filiculoides, Lemna minuta, Crassula helmsii and Hydrocotyle ranunculoides should be prioritised as targets. Fungal pathogens have been under-utilised as classical agents but, whilst they may have some potential against free-floating weeds, they appear to be poor candidates against submerged species, although the suitability of arthropod agents against these difficult targets still merits investigation. The use of indigenous pathogens as inundative agents (mycoherbicides) shows some promise.

Biologia floral, melitofilia e influência de besouros Curculionidae no sucesso reprodutivo de Grobya amherstiae Lindl. (Orchidaceae: Cyrtopodiinae)

A fenologia, morfologia floral, mecanismos de polinizacao, biologia reprodutiva e sucesso reprodutivo de Grobya amherstiae Lindl. foram estudados em duas populacoes localizadas em regioes de mata mesofitica semidecidua de altitude da Serra do Japi (Jundiai-SP). Grobya amherstiae floresce no verao, entre os meses de fevereiro e marco. Todas as flores da inflorescencia abrem mais ou menos simultaneamente pela manha, e cada flor dura cerca de sete a oito dias. As flores emitem suave fragrância adocicada semelhante a do mel. Em ambas as populacoes G. amherstiae foi polinizada por abelhas Paratetrapedia fervida Smith (Anthophoridae), que coletam oleo produzido em elaioforos tricomaticos do apice do labelo e da base da coluna. Alem de P. fervida, em uma das populacoes, uma especie de besouro do genero Montella (Curculionidae) realizou autopolinizacoes na maioria das flores. Grobya amherstiae e autocompativel, mas depende de polinizador para transferencia de polen. As femeas do besouro ovipoem no ovario e suas larvas se alimentam das sementes. O numero de frutos parasitados pelas larvas e baixo em relacao a quantidade de frutos produzidos. Como a taxa de frutificacao em condicoes naturais e baixa, os besouros contribuem para o sucesso reprodutivo de G. amherstiae em uma das populacoes.

Testing phylogeographic predictions on an active volcanic island: Brachyderes rugatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on La Palma (Canary Islands)

Volcanic islands with well-characterized geological histories can provide ideal templates for generating and testing phylogeographic predictions. Many studies have sought to utilize these to investigate patterns of colonization and speciation within groups of closely related species across a number of islands. Here we focus attention within a single volcanic island with a well-characterized geological history to develop and test phylogeographic predictions. We develop phylogeographic predictions within the island of La Palma of the Canary Islands and test these using 69 haplotypes from 570 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase II sequence data for 138 individuals of Brachyderes rugatus rugatus, a local endemic subspecies of curculionid beetle occurring throughout the island in the forests of Pinus canariensis. Although geological data do provide some explanatory power for the phylogeographic patterns found, our network-based analyses reveal a more complicated phylogeographic history than initial predictions generated from data on the geological history of the island. Reciprocal illumination of geological and phylogeographic history is also demonstrated with previous geological speculation gaining phylogeographic corroboration from our analyses.

Otiorhynchus (Phalantorrhynchus Reitter, 1912) coachei n. sp. du plateau de Bure, Alpes françaises méridionales (Coleoptera Curculionidae Entiminae)

A new species of curculionid beetle of the Otiorhynchus genus {Phalantorrhynchus Reitter, 1912) is described in the Dévoluy mountains (Hautes-Alpes, France). It is closely related to Otiorhynchus peyerimhoffi Hustache, 1920 from which it differs as its eyes are much smaller and far more globulous. Relevant external characters and the male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Desert grassland canopy arthropod species richness: temporal patterns and effects of intense, short-duration livestock grazing

Arthropods living in the canopies of two woody shrub species (a sub-shrub ( Gutierrezia sarothrae) and a large shrub ( Prosopis glandulosa)) and perennial grasses plus associated herbaceous species, were sampled on 18, 0.5 hectare plots in a Chihuahuan Desert grassland for five consecutive years. Mesquite shrubs were removed from nine plots, six plots were grazed by yearling cattle in August and six plots were grazed in February for the last 3 years of the 5 year study. Arthropod species richness ranged between 154 and 353 on grasses, from 120 to 266 on G. sarothrae, and from 69 to 116 on P. glandulosa. There was a significant relationship between the number of families of insects on grass and G. sarothrae and growing season rainfall but species richness was not a function of growing season rainfall on any of the plants. Several of the arthropod families that were the most species rich in this grassland were found on all of the plants sampled, i.e. Salticid spiders, Bruchid and Curculionid beetles, Cicadellid and Psyllid homopterans, and ants (Formicidae). There were more species rich families that were shared by grasses and the sub-shrub G. sarothrae than with mesquite. The absence of a relationship between growing season rainfall and species richness was attributed to variation in life history characteristics of arthropods and to the non-linear responses of annual and perennial desert grassland plants to rainfall. There were no significant differences in insect family or species richness on any of the plant types as a result of removal of mesquite ( P. glandulosa) from selected plots. Intense, short duration (24 h) grazing by livestock during in late summer resulted in reduced species richness in the grass-herb vegetation layer but had no effect on insect species richness on snakeweed or mesquite shrubs. Livestock grazing in winter had no effect on insect species richness on any of the vegetation sampled.

Impact of reindeer grazing on ground‐dwelling Carabidae and Curculionidae assemblages in Lapland

Reindeer Rangifer tarandus L. grazing shapes forest vegetation, microclimate, and soil respiration in Lapland, especially due to grazing on lichens (Cladina). We studied how these changes and their magnitude affect ground‐dwelling species of beetle families Carabidae (predators) and Curculionidae (herbivores), by using pitfall traps to collect invertebrates from pairs of grazed and ungrazed study plots over a wide range of site types. Changes in abundance, composition, richness and diversity of beetle assemblage were tested in relation to magnitude of the impacts on vegetation. The species compositions of Carabidae and Curculionidae differed between grazed and ungrazed plots in all sites. The relative difference between grazed and ungrazed plots in the number of individuals increased linearly with the impact of reindeer on vegetation cover. Carabid beetles, as a family, were more common in grazed plots in all sites. Curculionid beetles were more common in ungrazed plots in the birch dominated sites. This difference was mainly due to the species that feeds on deciduous leaves. In the pine dominated sites with high Cladina cover and more changes in ground vegetation, the number of curculionids feeding on conifers was higher in grazed plots. Species richness and diversity (H’) of both families were higher in grazed plots. Of the total 27 species, 11 were found only in grazed plots, while not a single species was found only in ungrazed plots. The relative difference between plots in diversity and evennes (H’/H'max) had humped response to the difference in Cladina cover. The diversity values were greater in grazed plots at the intermediate levels of grazing impact, and only in sites with very low or extremely high Cladina cover difference was the diversity higher in ungrazed plots. The response of beetle diversity resembled the hypotheses suggested for the relationship between grazing and vegetation diversity: greatest positive effect at intermediate grazing intensity and negative effects at unproductive sites.

Specialist weevil, Rhyssomatus lineaticollis, does not spatially avoid cardenolide defenses of common milkweed by ovipositing into pith tissue

Rhyssomatus lineaticollis is a milkweed specialist whose larvae feed upon pith parenchyma in ramet stems of the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Compared with other specialist insect herbivores on milkweeds, this curculionid beetle is unusual in that it is cryptically colored and does not sequester cardenolides characteristic of milkweed chemical defense. Based upon optimal defense theory, we predicted that pith tissue would be low in defensive compounds and that oviposition into the pith would spatially avoid cardenolides. We rejected this hypothesis because we found that pith tissue has a relatively high cardenolide concentration compared to cortex, epidermis, and leaf tissues. Moreover, we found total plant cardenolide concentration was lower in plants that contained the beetle eggs. Cardenolide concentrations were different among tissues in intact stems without the pith herbivore compared to stems where it was present. Furthermore, the overall polarity of the cardenolides present varied among plant tissues and between plants with and without R. lineaticollis eggs. Although we found lower concentrations of cardenolide in piths where the eggs were present, the cardenolides present in the pith contained more nonpolar forms, indicating that the plant may be responding to herbivory by increasing toxic efficacy of cardenolide defenses while lowering the total concentration. We suggest that preoviposition behavior by female beetles, which includes feeding on new leaves of the plant, is a mechanism by which females manipulate plant chemistry and assess quantitative and qualitative changes in cardenolide chemistry in response to herbivory prior to oviposition.

Size-assortative mating, male choice and female choice in the curculionid beetle Diaprepes abbreviatus

In the beetle Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) females are larger on average than males, as indicated by elytra length. Size-assortative matings were observed in wild populations in Florida and in laboratory mating experiments. We tested three mechanisms for this size-assortative mating: (1) mate availability; (2) mating constraints; and (3) mate choice. We found that mate choice influenced size-assortative mating by: (1) large and small males preferring to mate with large females; (2) large males successfully competing for large females, leaving small males to mate with small females; and (3) females accepting large males as mates more readily than small males. Males increased their reproductive success by mating with larger, more fecund females. They transferred protein to females during mating.